STD/AIDS Prophylactic Measures in Truck Drivers in the Northern Region of the State of Paraná, Brazil

Abstract

Current analysis was undertaken with 100 truck drivers, either resident in or passing through Maringá PR Brazil, who were interviewed on their places of rest. Interviewed drivers were predominantly males (99%), within the 31 – 40 years age bracket (43%), married (69%), family income between 3 and 5 minimum wages (67%), Catholics (60%), white (47%), hailing from the southern region of Brazil (54%), incomplete primary schooling (55%), professionals between 1 and 10 years (61%). When questioned on venues with prostitutes, 77% said that they never had any contact with such partners and 38% reported staying away from their homes between 8 and 15 days. The prevalence of a single partner was reported by 72%, while 80% did not use illicit drugs such as hemp. Only one admitted sharing syringe and needles, whereas 98% never used condoms in sexual intercourse with other partners. Data statistically significant were: married with a certain number of partners; sexual intercourse with a fixed partner; use of condom with fixed partner; race; sexual intercourse with fixed partner; blood donor; drug user during the last 12 months; one driver had STD and sought a blood bank for testing; type of sexual partner; use of condom.